But today the Teachers Union sent out a release telling its members - and by extension, parents - basically to ignore that directive.

The BNTU release says that school managements should decide on the formula to make up days - and the six "make - up" days currently on the calendar were planned by the Ministry along with school managers.

The union rejects that model: they say the teachers and the managers should work it out.

So, even though the managers agreed to the Ministry's current plan, the BNTU doesn't. Its release underscores the Education Rule which speaks to a teacher's entitlement to vacation days during Christmas, Easter and July. And the union says the majority of its members plan, quote, "to proceed with the original calendar of vacation days," end quote. That means basically that they plan to ignore the Ministry's makeup days.

The release concludes, "the BNTU...encourages our members and other teachers to enjoy the full three weeks of your Christmas vacation afforded to you through the education rules."

And so then how are the strike days going to be made up? The union says it advises and encourages school managers to meet with teachers to plan for the make-up time in the coming new year. The release concludes, quote, "most (teachers) are obviously not interested in the Ministry's proposed make up plan and promise of compensation," end quote.

And while school children all over the country are surely whispering a triumphant "yes" tonight, that's not the final word. We await a response from the Ministry of Education.